WEARABLE CLOTHING RECYCLING: faq

WHAT TYPES OF TEXTILES DOES WEARABLE COLLECTIONS ACCEPT?
Wearable Collections accepts all used clean clothing including shoes and hats. We also accept household items such as curtains, linens, towels, handbags and belts. We do not accept carpeting. If you need to recycle carpet please go to: http://www.carpetrecovery.org/

IS WEARABLE COLLECTIONS A NON-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION?
We are not a non-for-profit organization. Rather, we serve as an agent for non-for profit organizations. We handle all logistics for non-for-profit organizations, while serving as a fundraising tool.

CAN I GET A RECEIPT FOR DONATED CLOTHES?
Sorry we do not provide receipts for the NYC home pick ups since we are not a non-for-profit organization. However, our relationship with the CENYC.org enables us to hand out tax deductible receipts at the greenmarket locations.

WHERE DOES THE DONATED CLOTHING GO?

Third-party vendors purchase the donated clothing. At these facilities the clothes is sorted into three major categories.

1.Usable second hand clothing which is re-sold primarily in markets such as Latin America, South America and Eastern Europe.

2. Rags which are re-sold in various local markets and international markets.

3.What can't be re-used as clothing or used as rags is sent to facilities where it can be broken down into fibers which can be re-used in many products such as fiberboard, upholstery, and even re-woven into new textiles.

IS ALL THE CLOTHING RECYCLED?
Clothing recycling is one of the most efficient recycling businesses. Close to 50% of textile waste is recovered as secondhand clothing, while 20% of the material processed becomes wiping and polishing cloths, and 26% is converted into fiber for products such as mattresses and couches, according to the council of textile recycling.

Does the Wearable Collections program exist only in NYC?

No! We are really proud to be expanding into areas of Central New Jersey and Long Island. If you live in these regions and would like a home pick up please write us an email to either njpickups@gmail.com or lipickups@wearablecollections.com respectively.

We are now accepting requests for all zipcodes in these areas. When we receive a sufficient amount of requests for an area we will send out a van for collection. If you would like to be a leader in your community and help organize a home pick up clothing drive please write to us at info@wearablecollections.com

WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING A CLOTHING RECYCLED PROGRAM IN MY BUILDING?
None! Wearable Collections will provide you with everything you need to make for a successful clothing recycling program in your building.

Does Wearable Collections make personal home pick ups in NYC?
As we are trying to run an eco efficient , clothes recycling business, we try and steer away from home pick-ups. However, if there is a significant load we will certainly try to arrange a pick up as part of our regular route. In many situations we have asked people with this request to coordinate with their neighbors to increase the load and these pick-ups have been very successful.

Do you have any drop off locations in NYC?

YES! We are now collecting used clothing and textiles at several greenmarkets locations in partnership with the CENYC. Your donations helps to support CENYC's environmental and greeening programs. You can find us at the following locations every week:

Friday- W 97th st between Columbus Ave. and Amsterdam Ave from 8am-2pm

Saturday--Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope 8am-4pm

Union Sq @ 14th st and Broadway 8am- 6pm

Sunday-- Tompkins sq park @ Ave A and 9th st 8am-4pm

Monday-- UNion Sq @14th st and Broadway 8am-6pm